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Jay

I like a challenge.. then I bought and renovated a B&B in Blackpool. Now I'm challenged! Champion puddle splasher, soup slurper, travel junkie, people watching addict that's a touch eccentric.Keeping it real.

My comments

2

I contacted them again on Monday and to their credit received a reply very quickly, yesterday I noticed that four of the five replies had been approved.

I think they're having a lot of issues overall with their system coding while making the changes they're implementing. It would have been nice had they sent an auto email to each partner letting us know of impending works/notification of likely issues so that we, in turn, could notify our guests. I think the side issue overall is we, the partners who are affected, aren't notified and that projects an air of arrogance imho.

24 天 ago

2

Same issue with me. I have five great reviews awaiting my replies to be made public. It's been over three weeks for some of them and I've contacted BDC to no avail beyond the obligatory "We're sorry". None of my replies breach policies.

By not posting owner/manager replies to review BDC are giving an overall negative response to guests who have taken the time to show they appreciate their stay and in return they are met with.. silence.

This really isn't good enough from a company who are paid to provide a service and some aspects of that service are sub-standard and a detriment to businesses listing their properties through them.

Please, BDC, get it sorted.

27 天 ago

2

Hi everyone,

I tend not to give gifts as such as my bookings tend to be a much faster turnover (one or two day stays), although do give them for stays of five days and longer. Every one gets a complimentary drink on arrival to make them feel welcome, so I guess that's my gift to each guest.

For returning guests I do leave a little something extra in their room and make it specific to them - my marathon runners, for example, get energy boosting treats. Any children I have in automatically get sweeties, chocolate animal biscuits and juice drinks.

I've received some lovely gifts from my favourite coffee (two of my marathon runners recently competed in a 60 mile bike ride and when they completed it then rode to a specific shop in another town just to get me some coffee, which was incredibly special and such a lovely thing for them to do), to chocolate from Switzerland. And during the recent Rebellion Festival, another guest brought for me a t'shirt with his radio show logo on. Incredibly kind, thoughtful people. The nicest gift I have received was in the form of a note that I received just last week from a family thanking me for making them feel so welcome, their children thoroughly enjoyed their stay and can't wait to come back.

As far as cancellations are concerned, it's understandable why smaller business owners opt for non-refundable. When there are events coming up/peak season then I'll do non refundable, otherwise it's a fourteen day cancellation policy.

29 天 ago

2

Thanks for your reply, Isle of Wight Vacations, that seems a bizarre inclusion if they do indeed feature that as part of the rating system. The overall system is fine for chains/corporate businesses who will thrive regardless due to their dominance in the hospitality industry, but this system currently works to the detriment of small business owners such as myself.

1 month ago

2

Thanks for replying, Aaltje B. It just seemed a logical way of automatically keeping track of repeat guests so that we avoid embarrassment for ourselves, also them, should we not recall their previous stay. I'm surprised it isn't a feature already in use.

Good idea on sending my suggestion to the help desk people. I shall do that, thanks Aaltje B.

Nice to make your acquaintance here on the forums :-)

Jay

6 months ago

2

Hi Rgandhmm, I have no clue where in the world you so can't provide any links for retailers. All I can suggest is for you research hotel suppliers for luggage racks and if you find them expensive, there may be outlets online that can offer them more cheaply. OR, I have seen some mats hotels/B&Bs can purchase which can be placed at the end of a bed in readiness for the arrival of guests - to give you an idea, here's a link: https://www.outofeden.co.uk/products/7740-364/luggage-mat-brown

The rooms in my B&B aren't spacious enough to accommodate a luggage rack as such, so the mats are a great alternative to protect bedding. Alternatively, any hardware shop/store will sell cost-effective rubber mats which are a good alternative.

7 months ago

2

Gosh, Liza, what a fabulous array of mouth-watering delights to inspire a guest for the start of their day.

I am so in agreement with you that we need to inspire and that it's nice to mix things up on a daily basis. I always inform my guests when they present for breakfast, of various alternatives I'd be happy to create for them so find out what they fancy and then tantalise their tastebuds.

7 months ago

2

@Bandara Hotels & Resorts,

Thank you for such a kind offer, that is very generous of you and much appreciated :-)